November 20 Book Fair 9am – 6pm

NOVEMBER 21 SCOOLS CLOSED FOR STUDENTS – PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

NOVEMBER 22 & 23 SCHOOLS AND OFFICES CLOSED – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

November 29 Picture retake day 1pm

December 3, 4, 5 Holiday Gift Shop

December 5 & 6 Kindergarten field trip to Savage Library

December 11 2nd grade field trip Kennedy Center

December 12 Holiday Concert – 7pm

DECEMBER 24tg – JANUARY 1st SCHOOLS CLOSED – WINTER BREAK

Important Conference Information in the Friday Folder
In today's Friday Folder there is an important document we want to highlight. There is a family guide for conferences. This pamphlet contains a great deal of useful information to help you prepare for your conference and ensure a productive one. The HES staff looks forward to meeting with you and discussing your child(rens) progress.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Monday, November 20th is our last day of the Scholastic Book Fair “BLIZZARD”. The hours will be 9am to 6pm. If you haven’t been to the Book Fair, you have one final day left!

*** FEDERAL IMPACT AID FORMS ***
If you are eligible and have not turned in your Federal Impact Aid Form, please do so by Monday, November 19th. The forms will be scanned, therefore, they cannot be copied, folded, stapled, or otherwise marked or torn. Thank you for your cooperation.

Morning Drop Off Reminder
The doors to the school open at 8:45. Prior to this time staff are not outside to supervise students who arrive early. If your child walks to school or if you drive your child to school, please have him/her arrive between 8:45 and 8:55.

Picture Retake Day
Picture Retake Day is November 29th at 1pm. Retakes are free if there is a photographer or lab error (i.e. eyes closed, mouth open), otherwise there is a $5.00 sitting fee for retakes. You must return the entire portrait package to the photographer on retake day. If your child was absent on that day, please send in a note asking for an envelope from their teacher.

From the Guidance Department
Free Coat Drive! If you need help getting your child(ren) a winter coat this year, please let Mrs. Kelly know. Free coats in all size are available! Contact Mrs. Kelly @ margaret_ kelly@hcpss.org or 410-880-5890.

HES PTA/Scaggsville Fire Station #11 Reading Incentive Program
Each month starting in October, students who read 20 minutes beyond their daily reading time are eligible to fill out a reading coupon and turn it in for a drawing. The winners will be picked up at their home, arrive at school and be greeted by HES students! Our first ride is scheduled for Monday, November 20th. The following students are the winners of the 1st fire truck ride of the year: 1st grade: Carol Osorio, 2nd grade: Michael Li, 3rd grade: Emily Burgess, 4th grade: Billy Sellers, 5th grade: Maricruz Perez Cortes. Congratulations!

GIANT A+ BonusBucks Program
This program began on Friday, October 5, 2007 and so far we have 29 designations. Please take a few minutes and designate Hammond Elementary School - our ID is 00388. Even if you signed up last year, you must re-designate Hammond again this year -- you can sign up at your local Giant, at www.giantfood.com or forward your name and BonusCard number to Sharon Gilbert at sharonrgilbert@comcast.net. If you use Peapod by Giant you must register your BonusCard number on the Peapod site under "My Account - Retailer Card". Spread the word – ask your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to designate Hammond Elementary School!!!

eSchoolnewsletter
If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter and other important HES and HCPSS information via email, go to www.eschoolnewsletter.com . When you get to the webpage just follow the directions for new user sign up. If you decide you don't need a paper copy please send an email to julie_o’hagan@hcpss.org with the name and grade of your child.

PTA December Family Night Returns to Three Brothers Italian Restaurant
Join us at Three Brothers Italian Restaurant for our December “Family Night” on Monday, December 3rd. Help make it our most successful “Family Night” of 2007! Bring your family & friends between 4pm and 10pm and enjoy tasty Italian cuisine. “Three Brothers” will donate 20% of your purchase to the Hammond PTA. The restaurant is located on Deepage Drive near the corner of Carved Stone and Snowden River Parkway in Columbia. Look for the “Family Night” flyers coming home soon. See you there and spread the word!

WINTER-WACKY-FAVORITE HAT DAY!!!
Our second SPIRIT DAY event of the school year, will be held on Friday, December 14th. Please join us and wear your favorite hat to school!! It can be a winter hat, a wacky hat or your absolute favorite hat!!!

PTA HOLIDAY SHOP IS BACK!
The Holiday Gift Shop is coming once again to Hammond. Like last year, all items in the shop will be priced at $2.00. The shop will be open on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th during recess hours. The shop will also be open on Tuesday, December, 4th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm for those parents who wish to accompany their child or bring a sibling to shop. Each grade will visit the shop during their recess time over the three day period, giving the children 3 days to shop. Those students that do not want to visit the Holiday Shop will continue with their regularly scheduled recess. Watch for notices coming home in the school newsletter and in the Friday folders containing specific details about the Holiday Shop. The Holiday Shop will be open for all three days during the recess time. If your child cannot make it one day they can come on another.

PTA Holiday Shop Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help support the holiday shop. The shop cannot run with out you! Help Hammond students shop for holiday gifts. Moms, Dads, and grandparents are encouraged to volunteer. Please sign up for a 2 hour slot and help us out. If you would like to volunteer please contact Elizabeth Blough at EBlough@comcast.net or at 301-604-6769.

Car Magnet Update
Reminder, the Hammond ES Car Magnets are on backorder. They will be delivered in December. For those of you who still want to order one, they are only $5. Send in your order with your payment and we will receive your magnet. Thank you for your order.

ATTENTION PARENTS
The Yearbook needs your photos from the Fall Fun Run and A Night at the Opera. Please send your photos to bckleinhen@yahoo.com.

Make precious gifts and support HES PTA
Monday, Nov 19th (12- 8pm) and Tuesday November 20th (12-6pm) "The Studio- Paint your own pottery" Hammond Elementary Days. Come make precious hand painted gifts for loved ones for the holidays and help support your children's school all at the same time! The Studio is staying open late for us on Monday evening so all families may have a chance to participate and join with others in our community for a fun and productive time! The Studio at Fulton will donate 10% of total sales to HES PTA if you mention that you are from Hammond. Hope to see you there!

ATTENTION ALL “DISHERS”
Do you “Dish”? Why not Dish for Dollars at Let’s Dish, and help raise money for the Hammond Elementary PTA. With a minimum of 12 registered “Dishers”, the PTA can earn 5% of the proceeds! Interested parties should contact Amy Shugar at sheashug@comcast.net.

STUFFED ANIMAL DONATIONS
Are your closets overflowing with stuffed animals? Are you wondering how you can store all of them until spring when the PTA Carnival Committee asks for donations for the Animal Fair Game? Worry no more! You can donate your stuffed animals early this year. The Animal Fair donation box will be in the school lobby between Monday, December 3rd and Friday, December 14th to collect your Gently Used Stuffed Animals. If you are not ready to part with your stuffed animals right now, we will still have our usual plea for stuffed animal donations in the spring. If you have any questions please contact Pat Johnson at (301) 725-4954 or patjohnson1@comcast.net. Thank you.